An earlier photo of Prof. Noble Banadda in his lab at Makerere University, Kampala Uganda. He is O.R. Tambo Africa Research Chairs Initiative (ORTARChI) Chairholder in Makerere University in the Thematic Area of Food Security.
The O.R. Tambo Africa Research Chairs Initiative: Meet the team aiming to contribute to transforming the African research landscape
Pretoria, South Africa: The O.R. Tambo Africa Research Chairs Initiative (ORTARChI) is pleased to announce that it has selected the Initiative’s first ten host institutions and individual research Chairholders. ORTARChI is an initiative of South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), in partnership with the Oliver & Adelaide Tambo Foundation (OATF), Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and seven councils of the Science Granting Councils Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa (SGCI).
“For the next five years, the Chairs at these public universities in seven countries across the African continent will conduct research and support high-end skills development on a diverse range of topics including climate, public health, entrepreneurship and youth employment. Aligned to the global concept of research Chairs, these world-class researchers will not only lead multidisciplinary research teams, but also train the next generation of researchers,”said Dr. Molapo Qhobela, Chief Executive Officer, NRF.
ORTARChI provides five years of funding amounting to approximately US$15million, granted after a rigorous review process and in recognition of institutional excellence and capacity in identified disciplines; commitment to supporting high-quality research leadership; and talent; as well as to individual, internationally-recognised researchers.
In addition to the support provided through the grant for postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows, funds will be provided by the NRF and the OATF for 55 African female doctoral students studying under the supervision of the respective Chairholders.“Through international and regional strategic partnerships, the Chairs will contribute to the development of long-term, mutually beneficial, research collaboration on the African Continent,” said Dr Jean Lebel, President, IDRC.
The Initiative
This initiative builds on the work of Oliver Tambo, a prominent South African and pan-Africanist with a science education background, who believed in creating change through education and in cooperation and solidarity among African nations.
“This is an important new chapter in the ORTARChI story. The initiative was first announced in 2017 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of the most important leaders of South Africa’s liberation struggle, O.R. Tambo, who led the African National Congress during the years of exile. Tambo was not only a committed pan-Africanist but also an advocate of science and technology,” said Zengeziwe Msimang, Chief Executive Officer, OATF.
The ORTARChI is an opportunity to promote the values for which O.R. Tambo stood. These values include integrity, courage of conviction, diplomacy and humility. The initiative also recognises African excellence in the fields of study about which he was so passionate. Tambo not only believed in Africa as a centre for excellence, but also that it was and would continue to be the home of innovation and brilliance.
“Building on this legacy of O.R Tambo, ORTARChI will enhance the higher education system, promoting research and development in Africa. Of significance is the Initiative’s contribution to the development of mutually beneficial medium and long term partnerships between and amongst countries within and beyond Africa. As a collective, the Research Chairs will also leverage partnerships with the civil society, private sector, and government, a highly commendable approach to implementing excellent research,” added Prof VitóriaLanga de Jesus, Executive Director of Mozambique’s National Research Fund (FNI).
Media Invitation
Members of the media and the public are invited to the official launch of the Chairs on 27 October, as part of the 2020 Tambo Month Celebrations. The virtual event will be a panel discussion led by South Africa’s Minister of Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande and will be held on what would have been O.R. Tambo’s 103rd birthday.
Details of the O.R. Tambo Africa Research Chairs Initiative Launch:
Makerere University, through the Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Climatic Sciences and the School of Social Sciences & Makerere University Business School, in collaboration with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway), University of Stavanger (Norway), University of Juba (South Sudan) and Technical University of Kenya (Kenya) received a grant from NORAD under NORHED II projects to implement activities for Project QZA-21/0159 – Programme 2021-2026 entitled “Capacity building for socially just and sustainable energy transitions in East Africa”. This project aims at building the capacity of the workforce within the East African region to implement a just and sustainable low-carbon energy agenda by imparting the relevant skills and knowledge through education, research and outreach. To this end, this project is now inviting suitable candidates among Makerere University Staff to submit applications for a PhD scholarship tenable at Makerere University for a period of 3 years.
About the project The East African region has embraced the global drive to transition to low carbon economies and clean energy. However, a key challenge is the persistent lack of knowledge, capacity and skilled personnel to support the transition. The project focuses on building capacity and competence through education, research and outreach to ensure that the region has a workforce with the relevant skills set and knowledge required to implement and demand for a just and sustainable low-carbon energy transition agenda.
The PhD position at the Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University will focus on the theme: Energy infrastructure, environmental impacts and changing social practices.
About the theme: Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy is fundamental for halting anthropogenic climate change. However, both non-renewable and renewable energy infrastructure associated with onshore wind, hydropower and solar photovoltaic generation can be land use intensive and impact conservation areas (Rehbein et al., 2020). For instance, in Uganda, petroleum resources are located on shore within the Albertine Graben – a global biodiversity hotspot (Plumptre et al., 2017). Renewable energy infrastructure projects such as hydropower dams and support infrastructure (power lines) have traversed protected areas including national parks. So far, limited attention has been given to whether the aggregated effect of energy transitions poses a substantial threat to national, regional and global biodiversity. Hence, this project will address the environmental impacts of energy infrastructure and how social practices are affected by it.
Main tasks
The successful candidate will be admitted to the PhD program in Geography at Makerere University. The student must complete the PhD program consisting of mandatory and elective courses and a major research component.
Collect and analyse data.
Produce a PhD thesis, preferably based on 3-4 peer-reviewed articles published in key international journals.
Disseminate results at national and international conferences.
Be an active participant in the day-to-day project activities.
How to apply: Interested applicants should submit applications by e-mail to Prof Frank Mugagga (frank.mugagga@mak.ac.ug / fmugagga@gmail.com) and Dr. Charlotte Nakakaawa Jjunju (charlotte.jjunju@ntnu.no), including:
a brief statement of interest or cover letter describing your motivation to apply (max 1 page);
a concept note or description of research ideas of not more than 4 pages, outlining the focus, possible research questions, and the methodological and theoretical focus;
a curriculum vitae (CV) of max 4 pages;
A copy of the master’s thesis.
publications if any; and as it is often difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution to publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.
contact information (with phone numbers and e-mail addresses) for two persons who may act as referees.
Application deadline: Soft copies of the applications must be received by 21st February 2025 to the above indicated email addresses.
Eligibility requirements, qualifications and experience: The applicant should have completed a Master’s Degree in any of the following Disciplines; – Geography/Geographical Sciences, Land use and Regional Development, Disaster Risk Management or any other closely related subject. Applicants should have an excellent academic and educational record (Minimum: Upper Second for undergraduate and an average of B for the Masters) and strong analytical and writing skills (any peer-reviewed publications or previous research experience will be an advantage). Successful applicants will be expected to contribute to the project’s publication targets and will be encouraged to publish in international, peer-reviewed ISI journals. The candidates should be able to work independently but also as part of the project team.
Age limits: Not more than 40 years (female applicants) and 35 (male applicants) at the time of application.
PhD study conditions: The successful applicant is expected to register on the PhD-program at the Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Climatic Sciences at Makerere University. The candidate will be jointly supervised by Scholars from Makerere University, supported by colleagues from the Project Team.
The selection process: Applications will be evaluated by an independent evaluation committee. The Project Team will make the final selection of successful candidates based on recommendations from the evaluation committee.
Expected start date: The planned starting date is 15th March 2025. After that, they are expected to further develop their research proposals with guidance from the supervisors and to follow Makerere University’s admission procedure to apply for admission to the PhD Programme in Geography. The PhD scholarship period starts when candidate is formally admitted to the PhD Programme.
PhD Duration and Scholarship: The PhD candidate will be expected to complete studies within 3 years. The successful candidates will have a competitive scholarship covering tuition, functional fees and research costs.
For specific inquiries about the scholarship, please contact Prof Frank Mugagga Email: frank.mugagga@mak.ac.ug / fmugagga@gmail.com; or Dr. Charlotte Nakakaawa Jjunju (charlotte.jjunju@ntnu.no).
This call is subject to equal opportunities for all and qualifying women and candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Announcement of a Doctoral Scholarship “Decentralized Energy Governance in the Global South”
Call for Applications
The TUM SEED Center is an Excellence Centre for Exchange and Development, funded by DAAD and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development from 2020 to 2029. The TUM SEED Center conducts research and offers higher education at the intersection of Sustainable Energies, Entrepreneurship and Development (SEED) in the Global South. The TUM SEED Center consists of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and ten leading technical universities across the Global South, including Bahir Dar University (Ethiopia), Bandung Institute of Technology (Indonesia), Burkina Institute of Technology (Burkina Faso), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Ghana), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (India), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Kenya), Makerere University (Uganda), Namibia University of Science and Technology (Namibia), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (Peru), and Stellenbosch University (South Africa). Through its international and interdisciplinary doctoral program, the TUM SEED Center fosters academic exchange and facilitates excellent research.
This announcement invites master’s students from the Global South with excellent academic track record and strong motivation to apply for the doctoral scholarship in “Decentralized Energy Governance in the Global South”. The doctoral scholarship will focus on the regulatory and participatory governance dimensions of decentralized electricity systems and mini-grids, contributing to SDG 7, Clean and Affordable Energy for All by 2030. The selected and awarded doctoral scholar will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Miranda Schreurs from the TUM Department of Governance, School of Social Sciences and Technology and the Munich School of Politics and Public Policy (Hochschule für Politik München an den Technischen Universität München).
The SEED doctoral scholarship includes a monthly stipend of EUR 1,300, international mobility grants, insurance support, family support for a spouse and children, and annual support. The duration of the scholarship program is 4 years, starting from 1 June 2025 to 31 May 2029.
SEED doctoral scholars are expected to:
Demonstrate a strong commitment to the work as a doctoral student
Participate and contribute to the activities of the TUM SEED Center (e.g. annual symposia)
Engage in academic exchange (i.e., visit and collaborate with partner universities)
Application requirements:
Master’s degree in public policy, political science, or related fields (with a focus on sustainability)
Excellent academic track record
Extracurricular skills, social engagement, and strong motivation
Nationality from one of the eligible countries in the Global South
Qualified women and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply. A semi-finalist list of candidates will be asked to send samples of their written work and will be invited for an online interview with Prof. Dr. Miranda Schreurs and her team. The Selection Commission of the TUM SEED Center will make the final decision in line with DAAD criteria.
To apply, please upload your CV, a strong letter of motivation highlighting the fit to the TUM SEED Center, a research proposal of a maximum 3 pages, and the usual certificates, including the transcript of records in English through the online form: https://wkf.ms/3YQbhq9 by 10 February 2025.
If you have any questions regarding the announcement feel free to contact Prof. Dr. Miranda Schreurs (Email: miranda.schreurs@hfp.tum.de).
Announcement of Two Doctoral Scholarships “Sustainable Entrepreneurship”
Call for Applications
The TUM SEED Center is an Excellence Centre for Exchange and Development, funded by DAAD and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development from 2020 to 2029. The TUM SEED Center conducts research and offers higher education at the intersection of Sustainable Energies, Entrepreneurship and Development (SEED) in the Global South. The TUM SEED Center consists of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and ten leading technical universities across the Global South, including Bahir Dar University (Ethiopia), Bandung Institute of Technology (Indonesia), Burkina Institute of Technology (Burkina Faso), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Ghana), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (India), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Kenya), Makerere University (Uganda), Namibia University of Science and Technology (Namibia), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (Peru), and Stellenbosch University (South Africa). Through its international and interdisciplinary doctoral program, the TUM SEED Center fosters academic exchange and facilitates excellent research.
This announcement invites master’s students from the Global South with excellent academic track records and strong motivation to apply for the two doctoral scholarships in “Sustainable Entrepreneurship”. The doctoral scholarships will focus on scaling and impact of sustainable enterprises in the context of the mini-grid sector, contributing to SDG 7, Clean and Affordable Energy for All by 2030. The selected and awarded doctoral scholars will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Frank-Martin Belz from the TUM School of Management at the Technical University of Munich.
The SEED doctoral scholarship includes a monthly stipend of EUR 1300, international mobility grants, insurance support, family support for a spouse and children, and annual support. The duration of the scholarship program is 4 years, starting from 1 June 2025 to 31 May 2029. SEED doctoral scholars are expected to:
Demonstrate a strong commitment to the work as a doctoral student.
Participate and contribute to the activities of the TUM SEED Center (e.g. annual symposia)
Engage in academic exchange (i.e., visit and collaborate with partner universities)
Application requirements:
Master’s degree in management or related fields (with a focus on entrepreneurship)
Excellent academic track record
Extracurricular skills, social engagement, and strong motivation
Nationality from one of the eligible countries in the Global South
Qualified women and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply. Based on the applications, some candidates will be invited for a task assignment regarding research in sustainable entrepreneurship. The final candidates will be invited for an online interview with Prof. Dr. Frank-Martin Belz and his team. The Selection Commission of the TUM SEED Center will make the final decision in line with DAAD criteria.
To apply, please upload your CV, a strong letter of motivation highlighting the fit to the TUM SEED Center, and certificates, including the transcript of records through the online form: https://wkf.ms/3YQbhq9 by 31 January 2025.
If you have any questions regarding the announcement of the two doctoral scholarships for “Sustainable Entrepreneurship,” feel free to contact Dr. Alessia Argiolas (Email: Alessia.Argiolas@tum.de).
TUM SEED Center, Technical University of Munich, Alte Akademie 14, 85354 Freising, Germany, www.seed.tum.de
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